Discover the human story behind the periodic table of elements based on a PBS 3 hour-long series. This site includes links to view each episode in addition to many supplemental materials. Learn about the seven scientists featured in the show and explore the creation of the periodic table through video and images. Also, explore how discoveries about atoms changed the scientific world forever. Be sure to go to the section for teachers featuring a teacher's guide, additional videos, and hands-on classroom activities.

In the Classroom

If you teach chemistry, you will want to bookmark this valuable resource. View the videos and explore the site information together or flip your classroom and have students view the videos as an introduction to the material. If full episodes aren't available online in your area, you can still take advantage of the many resources on this site. Be sure to find the video library in the teacher's section with many clips from the original shows. Challenge students to create a Twitter Fictional Account, reviewed here, about one of the scientists featured in this series. Have students create a timeline (with music, photos, videos, and more) using Capzles, reviewed here, to visualize the progression of the discoveries of matter.

Stem in 30 is an interactive classroom offering 30-minute webcasts for middle school students. Interact with scientists by asking questions, participate in polls, and receive resources for follow-up activities. Don't worry if you can't attend, view the archives of all past presentations to enjoy at your convenience. Previous topics include Moon Rocks!, Time and Navigation, and WW1: How History Shaped Technology. Most archived recordings include correlation to Next Generation Science Standards. If your district blocks YouTube, then the videos may not be viewable. You could always view them at home and bring them to class "on a stick" to share. Use a tool such as KeepVid, reviewed here, to download the videos from YouTube.

In the Classroom

Share webinars on your class website for students to view at home. Check the site's homepage for upcoming webinars, then participate with your class. Check Twitter to see if your class can follow any of the presenting scientists. If you are lucky enough to live in the Washington, DC area, contact the museum to attend a live taping. After viewing a webinar, have students create a multimedia presentation using Voicethread, reviewed here. Voicethread allows users to narrate a picture. Challenge students to find a photo (legally permitted to be reproduced), and then narrate the photo as if it is a news report. STEM in 30 is also a great resource for gifted students to get involved with their own challenges and pursuits.

Emoji Science takes the simple and understandable world of emojis to explain complex science concepts. Explore the Emoji Table of Experiments to find videos (with special guests), do it yourself science experiments, and more. The broad range of topics includes content such as super materials, the human brain, and plants. Scroll down the homepage to find the link to Emoji Education that includes lesson plans aligned to standards. If your district blocks YouTube, the videos may not be viewable. You could always view them at home and bring them to class "on a stick" to share. Use a tool such as KeepVid, reviewed here, to download the videos from YouTube.

In the Classroom

Take advantage of the free lesson plans available on Emoji Science. Enjoy exploring the site with students on an interactive whiteboard or allow them to explore on their own. Use this site to introduce science concepts in an entertaining way. At the end of your unit, have cooperative learning groups create podcasts demonstrating their understanding of one of the concepts. Use a site such as PodOmatic, reviewed here. Have students create a multimedia presentation of science topics using Voicethread, reviewed here. This site allows users to narrate a picture. Challenge students to find a photo (legally permitted to be reproduced), and then narrate the photo as if it is a news report.

At Good Thinking find short videos addressing common misconceptions about science topics and pedagogical subjects such as student motivation. Watch the introductory video for a complete overview of the offerings. In addition to videos, Good Thinking offers curriculum resources and lessons. Check the box for Free Resources to narrow your search for only the free materials available. If your district blocks YouTube, the intro video may not be viewable. You could always view it at home and bring it to class "on a stick" to share. Use a tool such as KeepVid, reviewed here, to download the video from YouTube.

In the Classroom

Take advantage of the many free class materials available on the site for use in lessons and activities. Use this site as the starting point for individual or group projects. Share videos on your class website for students to view at home. Then have students create an online or printed comic comparing misconceptions to the truth using Write Comics, reviewed here or Printable Comic Strip Templates, reviewed here. Have students create a word cloud of the important terms they learn from this site using a tool such as Wordle, reviewed here, or WordItOut, reviewed here. Be sure to share professional information with peers during professional development sessions or grade level discussions.

Explore the science behind the hidden world of nanotechnology, where you measure objects in the billionths of meters. Six videos offered by NBC Learn in partnership with the National Science Foundation discuss Nanotechnology at the Surface, Nanoelectronics, Nanoarchitecture, Nano-Enabled Sensors, and Nanoparticles, plus quantum dots and working in nanoscale. Videos are approximately 5 to 6 minutes in length with a transcript. Although part of a larger site that charges for access, these videos and lessons are all free.This site includes advertising.

In the Classroom

Use this site as an anticipatory set or "activator" to introduce a unit or lesson in chemistry or physical science class. Divide students into cooperative learning groups to explore the site. Have each group choose a video to use as a launching pad for further study. Have students create an annotated image, including text boxes and related links using a tool such as Thinglink, reviewed here. Place the videos on your classroom website or blog for students to explore on their own. Flip your instruction and as an assignment have your students watch the videos before class time to build background knowledge. Review nonfiction reading strategies with students before having students read transcripts. Have students explore STEM careers by researching the jobs of the scientists interviewed.

Don't let the business in the name fool you, this YouTube channel is all about science! Watch videos with the latest news in science, space, and medicine with new content added each week. Scroll through the page to find the latest videos or explore playlists with topics such as Explainers and Psychology. Most videos run less than three minutes in length, making them perfect for a snack-sized bite of science information! If your district blocks YouTube, then they may not be viewable. You could always view the videos at home and bring them to class "on a stick" to share. Use a tool such as KeepVid, reviewed here, to download the videos from YouTube.This site includes advertising.

In the Classroom

Share a video with students once a week to help all of you learn about the latest information from the world of science. Flip your classroom and use a video as homework. Have students take notes on the material and write down questions they still have and topics that confuse them. Or, use a tool like eduCanon, reviewed here, for students to pause videos and ask or answer questions right on the video. These activities can help uncover student misconceptions. Show the video to the class, and then discuss the concept at length.

Find free tools and resources for teaching genetics, bioscience, and health at Teach.Genetics. Scroll down the page to view an alphabetized list of all available curriculum models, or choose the link to the Curriculum Index at the top of the page to find the complete list of available materials. Each model includes complete teaching materials, including student and teacher guides as well as supplemental material such as worksheets and quizzes.

In the Classroom

Take advantage of the many free educational materials for use in your science classroom. Use materials from this site as an anticipatory set or "activator" to introduce a unit or lesson on a projector or interactive whiteboard. Share topics from Teach.Genetics with students for use with science fair projects. Have students create a multimedia presentation using Voicethread, reviewed here. This tool allows students to narrate a picture. Challenge students to find a photo (legally permitted to be reproduced), and then narrate the photo as if it is a news report. Use a tool such as bubbl.us, reviewed here, to create and share the concept maps of information included with activities.

Maintained by a company that sells pool accessories, this collection of links on swimming, swimming pools, and water-related topics helps teach students about being safe around water. Scroll down the page to see resources organized by grade levels and content areas. The links include research articles, videos, lesson plans, worksheets, experiments, activities and games for science, math and history classes. If your district blocks YouTube, the videos may not be viewable. You could always view them at home and bring them to class "on a stick" to share. Use a tool such as KeepVid, reviewed here, to download the videos from YouTube.This site includes advertising.

In the Classroom

Follow these links for some supplemental materials to enliven lessons that could include water as a recreational resource. Science teachers will find real world applications and information about chemicals. Use interactive boards to show videos and activities as whole group lessons. Have students read articles for informational reading practice. Use the resources for flipped or blended learning links on your class website for individual or small group work.

SciTech Daily is a digest of the latest science news from around the globe. Information comes from major magazines, international newspapers, and more. Browse through the site by topic or choose links to view the latest or most popular articles. Use the search bar to look for specific information on the site. Subscribe using your email to receive a daily digest of all of the latest site additions.This site includes advertising.

In the Classroom

SciTech Daily is a great addition to science classrooms as a source of current information. Bookmark this site on classroom computers and allow students to explore and find information of interest. Share pertinent articles on your interactive whiteboard to discuss together. Use SciTech Daily in your English/Language Arts classroom as an excellent resource for non-fiction reading. Have students create a newspaper with science news using a site such as Zinepal, reviewed here. Click to "Start with a blank e-Book." Have students collect media (videos and more) from multiple online sources including SciTech Daily to show their research findings using a tool such as Dragontape, reviewed here. If articles are too long for some readers, consider using Skim.it, reviewed here, a Chrome extension that reduces articles into a 100-word summary.

Discover, create, and share digital resources from the Smithsonian Museum, the National Zoo, and nine major research centers with this visually appealing site. Use the search feature to find digital resources including photos, recordings, videos, and text. Sign up to create your own collections, including those found on the site and your own resources. Add annotations and develop quizzes. Easily share your creations or curated collections using social networking links provided. If your district blocks YouTube, the videos may not be viewable. You could always view them at home and bring them to class "on a stick" to share. Use a tool such as KeepVid, reviewed here, to download the videos from YouTube.

In the Classroom

The Smithsonian Learning Lab is a must-add to your list of classroom bookmarks! Search for collections and information throughout the year on all topics. Add a link to classroom computers for the entire site or specific collections. Be sure to take advantage of the many features of this site to create customized collections, then have students add additional resources. Have students create quizzes for review of topics. Challenge students to create a simple infographic sharing their findings using Easel.ly, reviewed here.

Study Jam offers engaging instruction and review activities in both math and science. Some sample science topics include plants, human body, the solar system, weather, matter, and more. Math topics include numbers (place value, number lines, estimation), algebra, addition/subtraction, problem solving, and others. Don't miss the "Jams" sure to excite your students to learn new skills in a musical and entertaining manner. Key vocabulary is presented along with a short video explanation of each topic. In addition to the video, there is an option to test your own ability. Each topic can also be printed to use in the classroom and there is a link to related "jams."

In the Classroom

Excite your students with the Jams! Share the Jam videos on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Have students sing along and learn more about science and math. Especially younger students will enjoy this feature. Create a link to the site on your classroom website or blog for students to use for review and practice at home. Use the many topics available to differentiate for all students in your classroom. Create learning centers using this site or use it in on individual laptops. Print out the quizzes for students to take as an assessment.

This collection of free streaming videos, mostly under six minutes, supports school curriculum using material from NBC News, one of the largest news archives in the world. Topics include language arts, humanities and social sciences, and parenting information. The majority of videos feature STEM content. Specific sample topics include: Mysteries of the Brain, Writers Speak to Kids, Science of NFL Football, and many others. All videos include transcripts. Some have lesson plans and/or activities which are available in a side tab in the video window when launched. Most have closed captioning, and a few have a Spanish language option. The majority of NBC Learn, the educational arm of NBC News, is fee-based. This review is for the free material.This site includes advertising.

In the Classroom

This site is perfect for flipped or blended learning classrooms but will spark interest in most classroom lessons. Use the search box in the upper right corner to find free content of interest. NBC Learn uses a proprietary media player "Cue Card," and provides suggestions if you are having trouble playing. The whole class can watch the videos, many of which are parts of a series. Have individuals or small groups view and share information. The transcripts and close captioning will be helpful for struggling learners. Transcripts can be used alone for informational text reading practice.

Fun Science Demos is a YouTube Channel devoted to sharing engaging science lessons for young learners based on Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Choose from popular videos such as Balancing Balloons - Air Has Weight or Muscles Moving Your Bones. Be sure to check out the playlists to find videos categorized by topic. If your district blocks YouTube, then they may not be viewable. You could always view the videos at home and bring them to class "on a stick" to share. Use a tool such as KeepVid, reviewed here, to download the videos from YouTube.

In the Classroom

Flip your classroom and use a video as homework. Have students take notes on the material and write down questions they still have and topics that confuse them. Or, use a tool like playposit, (formerly eduCanon), reviewed here, for students to pause videos and ask or answer questions right on the video. These activities can uncover misconceptions. Show the video to the class, and then discuss the concept at length. To share a single video from this site without all the YouTube clutter, use a tool such as SafeShareTV, reviewed here, and create a shortcut to the SafeShare page directly on the desktop. For more advanced classes, provide time for students to choose a video to view and research the underlying concept.

Take a look at chemical compounds encountered every day through interesting infographics and blog posts. View weekly posts for "This Week in Chemistry" detailing the latest news and information from the world of chemistry. To see all infographics, choose the infographics index and select by topic. For information about sharing graphics, go to the About & Contact link that contains the fair use guide.This site includes advertising.

In the Classroom

Bookmark Compound Interest as an excellent resource for chemistry classes throughout the year. Share infographics on your interactive whiteboard or projector and discuss the This Week in Chemistry posts with your students. Follow acceptable use guidelines and share infographics on your class website. Use this site as an example and have students create a simple infographic sharing their findings using Piktochart, reviewed here.

Science Underground is a weekly two-minute podcast featuring science concepts presented in an uncomplicated manner. As the creator states, "...it's a mix of Bill Nye and Science Friday." Topics range from Football Science to How Chameleons Change Color. Choose any podcast to listen online and view the corresponding text. Use the tags for each podcast to find other offerings with related content. Either sign up to receive an email notification or check back often for new podcasts, also, see the archives to listen to any previous podcasts.

In the Classroom

Listen to weekly podcasts together in class to stimulate discussion and interest in science topics. Assign the weekly podcast as listening homework. Have students create a series of questions to ask each other about issues discussed on the podcast. Have cooperative learning groups create podcasts demonstrating their understanding of one of the concepts. Use a site such as PodOmatic, reviewed here.

With topics from Biology to Engineering, and Environmental Science to Sports Science you'll find a science fair project to suit your interests. All Science Fair Projects has thousands of projects from which to choose. Search by keyword or category. For instance, searching for "cell" produced four pages of projects, and these are NOT just the normal ones about human or plant cells. Find projects for cell phones, Galvanic cells, solar cells, nicotine and cancer, sunscreen and cells, and more. Not only will you have names and a brief description of the project, but the grade level and category. Clicking a project that looks interesting will get you a summary of the project and a link for the exact details. Also listed on that page are links to the "all time most popular science projects" and "you might also like these projects."This site includes advertising.

In the Classroom

Introduce this tool to students on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Create a link on your class website for students and parents to access at home. Assign a science experiment for students to try at home on a bi-weekly basis; this will help students and parents be prepared when science fair time comes around. Allow older students to work together in small groups to investigate and complete the experiments. They could physically work together, or do the projects on their own and report the results and findings back to their group. Use a tool such as Live, reviewed here, or Simply Circle, reviewed here, to help students keep their group organized and communicating. For younger students use Simply Circle and include their parents to keep them informed about which project is due and when.

Discover hundreds of Science Fair Projects categorized by science discipline and a category for math. Most disciplines have several projects from which to choose. Each experiment has Materials Required and Procedures with diagrams/images and complete written instructions. The directions for these hands-on projects are deceptively simple; you will need to think outside the box about what each project might entail.

In the Classroom

Introduce this tool to students on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Create a link on your class website for students and parents to access at home. Assign a science experiment for students to try at home on a bi-weekly basis; this will help students and parents to be prepared when science fair time comes around. Allow older students to work together in small groups to investigate and complete the experiments. They could physically work together, or do the projects on their own and report the results and findings back to their group. Use a tool such as Simply Circle, reviewed here, to help students keep their group organized and communicating. For younger students use Simply Circle and include their parents to keep them informed about which project is due and when.

Re-Mission 2 offers six interactives that teach about cancer-fighting treatments. These were designed to encourage young cancer patients to stick with life-saving treatments. The interactives offer all players a chance to learn more about this deadly disease. Choose Nano-Bot's Revenge as you target treatments on a growing tumor or become a stem cell defender fighting off deadly bacteria. Beat five levels in each activity to unlock Special Ops with new visuals and scenarios for fighting cancer.

In the Classroom

Introduce these activities on an interactive whiteboard or projector. Allow students to explore and play on their own. Challenge students to create a story with cancer as the monster and one of the therapies they learned about as a cartoon figure hero. Then have students create an online or printed comic using one of the tools and ideas included in this collection. Re-Mission 2 would be especially useful if your students know someone dealing with cancer. It will help them understand what cancer is and some of the different treatments. It may also give them hope that the cancer can be treatable. Share these games with your school's counselors as an excellent tool for use with students facing cancer treatments either for themselves, a relative, or a friend.

Learn something new every day with Brain Pump videos. Choose from the many topics including game design, history, science, math, technology, nature, business, casual science, and more to view a random video about the topic. Not interested? No problem, click the next video link to watch another on the same subject. Sign up isn't necessary but allows you to "star" videos to find for later viewing. If your district blocks YouTube, the videos may not be viewable. You could always view them at home and bring them to class "on a stick" to share. Use a tool such as KeepVid, reviewed here, to download the videos from YouTube.This site includes advertising.

In the Classroom

Use the short videos found at Brain Pump to introduce content and assess prior knowledge. Create a link to videos, or embed them, on your class website for student viewing at home. Use a video tool such as EdPuzzle, reviewed here, or ComentBubble, reviewed here, to have students answer questions, from home, on the content of the video. Back in the classroom, have students talk in small groups about any video and their questions and ideas about the topic. Have the student groups share out the important questions and thoughts with the whole class. After the class discussion, have the students write a group response, either on paper or on your class blog or wiki. Completing a group response now, could evolve into students writing journal entries at home or during class about the topic of a video. These videos make powerful writing prompts. After viewing a few videos in this manner, you may want to have older students select videos they want to watch (or you can assign them) and have the students respond.

Mr. Snyder's Sixth Grade Class offers several templates and ready-made activities for independent student work in science class. Choose from options such as a crossword puzzle, word search, and word scrambles based on content such as mixtures or elements.

In the Classroom

Take advantage of these free downloads to use as science centers, extra credit, or for use in science notebooks. Use these examples to create your own activities, or have students create activities for classmates.